At a Glance
MAX Coverage is recommended for most itineraries — it bundles nearly every available protection into one flat rate with zero excess, including gravel and sand/ash damage that basic coverage excludes — though a few risks are never covered by any package.
Breaking it Down
If the itinerary includes the Ring Road, South Coast, or any gravel roads (which is most itineraries), Medium or MAX is worth it because Basic Cover explicitly excludes tire, windscreen, gravel and undercarriage damage. Even with MAX Coverage, some risks are never covered by any protection package, regardless of tier: underbody damage, water/river-crossing damage, and any damage resulting from illegal driving (such as off-road driving outside marked tracks or traffic violations) — these remain the renter’s full financial responsibility. Roadside Assistance is a separate add-on that can be added alongside MAX Coverage for extra peace of mind on longer or more remote routes. Renters may also rely on personal travel insurance or credit-card rental coverage instead, but should verify it explicitly covers Icelandic risks like gravel and sand/ash. For the full comparison, please check our Coverage & Protection page.
